Control device



E. F. -MAAS CONTROL DEVICE June 12, 1928,

Filed oct. 29,1925

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June l2, 1928.

E. Ff. MAAS CONTROL bEvIcE 2` Sheets-Sheff. 2

Filed Oct. 29, 1925 gwuenoc HOME/Kaas.

@ttm ne 14 Patented June 12, ,1928.1

UNITED STATES 1,673,521 PATENT OFFICE.

ELOV F. MAAS, OF AKRON, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE GOODYEARTIRE & RUBBER COM- y PANY, OF AKRON, OHIO, A CORPORATION 4OIT-OHIO.

CONTROL DEVICE'.

Application filed October 29, 1925. Serial No. 65,629.

` My invention relates to machines that are employed in processing flexible elongate materials, such, for example, as chaiing strips or plies for pneumatic tires and it has particular relation to those processes wherein several operations are effected by different machines which operate simultaneously but which are not synchronized. I

One object of my invention is to provide a device by means of which any irregularities of consumption may be met or overcome without human supervision.

Another object of my invention is to provide a control device which will obviate the necessity of certain machine operators.

In many industries, such for example as the rubber industry, flexible elongate materials are processed continuously. Oftentimes during the course of manufacture the article being treated passes from one machine to another without intermission. In any continuous rocess which is so designed, however, di culties arise when one of the several operations is temporarily delayed, since at such time it is necessary that the activities of the other machines be suspended.

Heretofore, this type of control has been handled by the operators of the several machines. But an additional burden placed upon the operator was that of equalizing the rate of supply on the one hand with that of consumption on the other, this being necessary in order to avoid oversupplying or delays;

According to m invention., I have provided automatical y controlled means for starting and stopping jointly operated ma- `chines, as well as means for controlling the relative :rates at which they should operate. A better understanding of the invention may be had by referring to the drawings, wherein Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a device embodying the principles of my invention; f

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the device illustrated in Fig. 1, together with rolls of an unwinding device which illustite the relation of the machine to a particular process; and

Fig. 3 is also a side elevational view of a machine which embodies certain modifications of the invention;

Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the electrical connections used for controlling the motor ofthe unwinding device.

and respectively to individual journal blocks 18 at their other ends. The blocks are adapted to move in unison but freely in a vertical direction, between the angle irons. Shafts 19 are rotatably mounted in the blocks 18 and support a floating or take-up roll 20. Near the top and bottom of one of the vertically disposed angle irons are mounted stop and start switches 21 and 22. Each switch is operated by a small armhaving a roller 23 at its end which is actuated by the journal block as it moves between the angle irons.

Alunit such as has been described may be conveniently adapted in a pneumatic tire factory between a bias cutter and an unwinding device. Here the rolls of rubberized fabric have interposed between each convolution a liner material, that is employed to prevent sticking of the uiivulcanized composition andmust be removed before the product is passed through the bias cutter. Numerals 25 and 26 indicate the last two r'olls of an unwinding device employed for this purpose. The roll 25 is connected to a driving motor 34 by a belt 35. The free fabric 24 passes around the rolls and about the fioating roll 20 before it enters the bias cutter. v Those familiar with a Spadone bias cut-ter will realize that the consumption is intermittent in that each cutting operation is performed while the fabric is stationary. After the cut is completed, the fabric moves a distance equivalent to the exact width of ply desired and the severing operation is repeated. It is usual for the motor which operates the bias cutter and that which operates the unwinding device to be oonnected independently. If, therefore, for

any reason the bias cutter is rendered iny.

so that in ease one is stopped, the others may likewise be brought to rest. By employing the device hereinabove described, the object for maintaining one operator is cared for, inasmuch as the switches are so arranged that when the Heating roll engages vthe lower switch 22, which occurs only when an excess of unwound fabric has accumulated, the operation of the unwinding device is interrupted. When on the other hand the Heating roll reaches the upper switch, which obviously occurs only when the supply of free fabric has diminished, the motor of the unwinding device is energized and a supply of fabric is caused to accumulate. In order that all of the weight of the Heating roll will not be supported by the fabric, the cable and counter-weight has been provided.

While the embodiment hereinabove described permits of dispensing with the services of one workman, the operation of the unwindin device is not necessarily continuous. In act, it is expedient that the rate at which the fabric is unwound be slightly greater than the average rate of consumption. By means of a modificationof my invention, however, it is possible to control the rates so that the two machines operate substantially continuously. Accordingly, 'a rack 27 is mounted upon one of the journals and meshes with a ear 28 that has a short pin 29 made integra therewith. The pin is adapted to engage the shoulders of an arcuate cam 30 which is mounted on a shaft 31 of a rotatable type rheostat 32 of any wellknown construction. The rheostat is connected in the energizing circuit of the motor which drives the unwinding device.

As best shown by Fig. 4, the electrical connections employed to control the operation of the device include a driving motor 34 .that is connected to power lines 36 and 37 and is started and stopped by means of a relay switch 40. The switch is composed of a solenoid or coil 38 provided with a plunger, core. A closure element 41 is attached to the lower end of the latter and is adapted to complete or break the electrical circuit between two terminals 42 provided in the line 37. The solenoid is energized by means of electrical current which is controlled by the switches 21 and 22 that are connected in parallel with respect to each other and in series with respect tothe solenoid 38 by means of conductors 43 and 44. The'upper switch 21 is normallyheld in open position by a compression spring 47, and the lower switch 22 is normally closed by a similar spring 49. The switches are also connected by means of conductors 45, 51 and 52 .to the power main 36.

It has previously been indicated that the switches are operated by contact with the roll 20 as it travels vertically in its guide. The speed of the motor is also regulated by varying the eurrentin a field winding 53. This function is accomplished by a rhcostat 55 that is connected in series to the field winding by means of a conductor 56, and is also connected to the power line 36 by a conductor G0. Assuming that the roller 2O is in the position indicated by the full lines in Fig. 4, the switch 22 is closed and current will, therefore, How through the solenoid 38, thereby closing the relay switch 40 and operating the motor 34.

As the roller 20 descends the rack bar 27 actuates the rhcostat 55 and gradually dc- .creases the resistance imposed in the field winding of the motor, thus allowing more current to How therethrough and gradually reducing the speed of the latter. In case the roller 2() descends to its lowermost position, it will engage the switch arm 22 and open the circuit 51-44 and thereby deenergize the solenoid to permit the closure element 41 to descend and thus break the circuit to the motor.

As the loop of fabric is diminished the roll 20 rises until it engages the arm 21, thereby closing the circuit between the conductors 45 and 43,'an'd again energizing the solenoid 38 and causin the motor to operate. The fabric will ten be fed from the unwindino' device.

It w'ill be apparent that the resistance of the circuit will be varied according to the position of the Hoating roll. It will also be apparent that the length of the rack is equivalent to substantially one and a half revolutions of the gear. Thus, if the Hoating roll starts moving downwardly from its highest point, at which the motor rotates most rapidly, the resistance will not be varied until the gear has traveled one half of a revolution, after which it will be increased with the continued downward movement. The rate of operation will then diminish until it is substantially equal to that of the bias cutter. If for any reason the bias cut-- ter is stopped, the roll will move downward, causing the resistance in the circuit to increase gradually until the lower switch stops the operation completely. When the bias cutter is started, the floating roll will move upward until it engages the upper switch, at which time the resistance in the circuit is reduced to a minimum andthe rates of supply and consumption are again equalized. By placing the starting switch 21 just above switch 22, the starting operation is more gradual inasmuch as considerable resistance is present in the circuit. With any arrangement of switches itis advantageous to have an emergency stop switch at or near the upper limit of travel of the journal, which will stop the entire system.

The advantage of allowing the Heating roll to have a margin of play will be apparent by bearing in mind that the rate of consumption of the bias cutter is distinctly intermittent. During the course of normal operation and at a time When the rates are equalized, the floating roll moves up and down continuously between narrow limits. If play were not provided, the resistance would be varied continuously, resulting in unnecessary fluctuations in current strength and rate of speed of the motor which drives the unwinding device. By employing the means embodying the' principles just described, considerable tolerance has been provided wherein th'e rate of speed remains unchanged.

It is not uncommon during the course of operation to have one edge of the fabric which passes around the floating roll relatively loose, as compared to the other. Under these conditions, the roll serves an additional purpose in thatit tends to correct these irregularities. It is to be noted, how.- ever, that unless the counter-Weight 17 has a Weight which is greater than one-half the accumulative Weight of the roll together with the journal blocks or cross-heads 1,8, the operation of the device may not `be satisfactory. This will be more easily understood by analyzing the conditions which probably exist. v.

When one edge of the fabric is tighter than the other, the roll Will be supported by the tighter edge. Under these conditions When the roll is caused .to move upwardly, for example, the cross-head which is adjacent to the loose edge must be actuated by the counter-Weight, in order that the floating roll may maintain its horizontal position. The remedy is simple in that the opposing counter-Weight need be designed to carry slightly more than one-half the weight of the iioating roll. l

lVhile my invention finds particular application in connection with bias cutters, obviously, a device constructed according to the principles thereof may be used .Wherever material is processed continuously by machines which are not synchronized or operated by a singlel control. Its application' may be extended to the handling of the' cal'- endered or nncalendered fabric during skim coating operations and the like, Where regulation is desired. It is to be noted that a .variable rheostat of any construction, other than one which is rotatably operated may be employed inasmuch las any similiar device having spaced engaging means which are actuated by a movement of a floating roll are equally serviceable. Moreover, althou h I have described a machine embodying t e principles of my invention together with a single modification, it Will be apparent to those skilled in the art that it is not limited to the construction described, but may be subjected to many variations Without departing therefrom, and I desire, therefore, that only such limitations shall be imposed as are .consistent with prior art and the .appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A fabric supply control device, comprising a frame having pulleys mounted thereon, a take up roller provided with journal lmembers mounted for vertical sliding movebers mounted for Vertical sliding movement j in the frame, the take-up roller being adapted to rest in a loop in the fabric, individual supporting cables attached to the respective journal members, the cables being trained over the pulleys, a counter-Weight common to the cables and being of substantially less Weight than the roller and journal means, and means actuated by the movement of the take-up roller for controlling the rate at which the fabric is supplied, said means including electrical switches, and having operating devices placed in the path of the slidable journal members 3. A fabric supply control device, comprising a frame having pulleys mounted thereon, a take-up roller provided with journal members mounted for vertical sliding movement in the frame, the take-up roller being adapted to rest in a loop in the fabric, .individual supporting cables attached to the respective journal members, the cables being trained over the pulleys, a counter- Weight common to the cables and heilig of substantially les,o mass journal means, meansA actuated by movement of the take-up roller for controlling the rate at which the fabric is supplied, said means including arheost-a-t, and means associated with the take-up roller, whereby vertical movement of the latter operates the rheostat.

4. A fabric supply control device, comprising a frame having pulleys mounted thereon, a take-up roller provided with journal members mounted for vertical sliding movement in the frame, the take-up roller being adapted to rest in a loop in the fabric, individual supporting cables attached to the respective journal members, the cables being trained over the pulleys and attached to a counter-weight common to the cables and being of substantially less mass than the roller and journal means, means actuated by than the roller land movement of the take-up roller for controlling the rate at which fabric is supplied, said means including electrical contact members disposed in the path of movement of the take-up'roller on opposite sides thereof and operated by contact with the latter, and additional means associated with the take-up roller whereby said rate is gradually varied as the take-up roller moves in its vertical 10 path.

5. A fabric supply control device comprising a frame, a vertically movable roller signed my name.

ELOV F. MAAS. 

